While not officially called up, Rios has been a constant fixture in the midfield for Uruguay during qualifying and seems very likely to be part of the final squad set to be named next week.

If that is the case, he would miss the Fire's away match at FC Dallas on October 12.

Earlier this month, Rios missed the Fire's 2-1 loss at Seattle (September 7) and 1-1 draw at Toronto (September 11), as Uruguay earned six crucial points with a 2-1 away win at Peru and 2-0 home win over Colombia.

Uruguay sit in CONMEBOL's fifth spot, which if qualifying ended today would see them take on Jordan in a two-match intercontinental playoff for a place in next summer's FIFA World Cup.

There is huge opportunity for the side to control their own destiny for one of CONMEBOL's four automatic places as they sit tied on points with Ecuador (6-4-4; 22pts) ahead of their clash on October 11 in Quito.